On the initiation mechanism of acrylamide polymerisation in aqueous solutions initiated by potassium persulphate

摘要

Literature data concerning the mechanism of persulphate initiated acrylamide polymerisation in aqueous solutions have been analysed. It has been shown that the explanation of polymerisation rate order with respect to monomer greater than unity based on "cage effect", "complex formation" or "hybrid cage-complex theories" is not satisfactory. More preferable is the direct determination of initiation rate dependence on both initiator (persulphate) and monomer (acrylamide) concentrations. Using different and independent methods it has been established that the initiation rate does not depend on acrylamide concentration and is first order with respect to persulphate.